Back in Boston

With Xavier graduating from Rivers, it gave me an opportunity to spend a few days with Natalie and family. It was a jam-packed weekend and Thank You, Natalie for all the coordination! The “normal” hotel that I stay at was almost $400/night so I opted to stay in Concord, where Bob and Larina were going to stay. It is a cute and very historic town with lots of places to explore on foot. The weather was a bit colder than when I visited for Alex’s graduation but I made sure I brought warm jackets and raingear!

The Colonial Inn is where I stayed. It was built in 1716 and located in the center of town on Monument Square.
This monument is in the Town Square and was erected in 1866 to honor all who served the nation during the War of the Rebellion.
A short walk to Haute coffee for a cherry/pistachio scone and lavender latte.
I probably should have gone in here and bought a sheet of commemorative stamps for Joel but they weren’t open when I walked by.
Hill Burying Ground – This is the Europeans’ earliest burial site located on a hill overlooking the town square. In the background is the First Universalist meeting house where Frederick Douglass spoke in support of Civil Rights. Years later it was converted to the first Catholic Church in Concord.

The big event, of course, was Xavier’s graduation. We went early and got good seats and settled in for the ceremony.

Still very obvious who is the tallest of the sisters (me.)
The prize at the end of the tunnel!
Xavier participated in the pond swim/jump that is a tradition at the school. He is the second from the left.
Pre-ceremony photo in from of the beautiful dogwood in their front yard.

Once the ceremony was over we headed over for a joint family lunch with two of Xavier’s classmates. Tony hopped over to pick up his Dad who seemed to have a great time. Julia was back from a whirlwind visit to Washington, DC where she received a scholarship from the Sons of Italy (?) organization.

Back home to the hacienda for a bit of R & R and food. Jupiter was well behaved with all the chaos and new, but familiar, faces and smells.

Beautiful planter boxes in full bloom.

Natalie had signed us up for a tour of a local Asparagus Farm and then lunch afterward. The tour was very interesting and informative – sandy soil, well watered and drained, stalks may grow 3″ a day in the hot weather, skinny and fat stalks can come from the same plant and the plants can live up to 20 years.

Part of the field that had newer plants in it. The “crowns” are purchased when they are 3 years old. There are male and female plants this one has small seeds on it.
In this row, you can see that there is a large stalk amidst the skinny ones. Just the way the plant grows, apparently.
We were encouraged to try a stalk right from the field. As the group tromped through the field, several seemed to not see the stalks in the rows. Note the carnage in from of Natalie (no, she didn’t step on them!)

We ended seeing the new Tom Cruise movie. Not to ruin the ending, but it wasn’t what I expected!

Bob and Larina had a hike/walk planned around Walden Pond and I ended up tagging along with them. It was nice to get out and stretch the legs and watch the swimmers make laps around the pond.

A great time was had by all and we look forward to seeing Xavier as he relocates closer to us at ASU this fall. A shout out to all my chauffeurs on this trip, it was nice to not have to drive so “Thank You” to Natalie, Bob and Larina, Xavier and Alex!

Nuff Said!

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